F 1234 
• L47 
Copy 1 



THE 



REFORMATION IN MEXICO. 



BY 



RT. REV. ALFRED LEE, D.D., 



BISHOP OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN DEL A WARE, 



TJnSTITEID STATES OIF .AJMIEIRIO-A.- 



til- 



i d-'i 



v 



THE REFORMATION IN MEXICO. 



•»-» Few histories are clothed with more fascinating interest than that 
"Y of Mexico. Before America was unveiled to the old world by the 
^-n" voyage of Columbus many of the arts of civilization were known 
^ there, and a powerful kingdom was flourishing in a splendor that 
could vie with the realms of the Orient. While the aborigines of our 
own land were savage Nomads, whose skill only sufficed to construct 
the wigwam, the canoe, and the weapons of war and chase, there 
were magnificent cities in this Southern region, and great hosts were 
mustered under the conduct of plumed and armed chieftains. The 
descriptions given by the Spanish invaders of the extent, riches, and 
power of the Mexican empire, the well-organized system of adminis- 
tration, the beauty and grandeur of the capital, a Western Venice 
reposing in the bosom of its inland waters, and of the royal state of 
Montezuma's court, sound like the dreams of romance. Whether 
the gorgeous semi-civilization of Mexico was self-developed, the 
growth of the country, the fruit of gradual progress and advance, or 
whether imported from the Eastern Continent at a period anterior to 
historic record, is a question upon which learned and intelligent 
students are unable to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion. Strong 
arguments are urged on each side of the question. But whichever 
view be taken, there can be no doubt respecting the intellectual 
ability and energy of a people who could either achieve such a condi- 
tion, or maintain it cut off from all external sources of improvement 
and refinement. The Aztecs, the race dominant at the era of the 
Conquest, were a remarkable people. If, as is supposed, the Aztecs 
derived their knowledge mainly from the Toltecs, whom they sub- 
dued, the latter must have been a still more wonderful race, superior 
to the Aztecs in science and art, as well as in gentleness. For, with 
all their pomp and luxury, the Aztecs were a ferocious and sanguinary 
people, in a state of almost constant warfare with their neighbors. 
Of their religion, to which they were fanatically devoted, human sac- 
rifice was the prominent feature. In all their principal cities were 
Teocalis, lofty pyramidaNidol mounds, crowned with altars, upon 
which living victims were continually immolated. These were mostly 
captives taken in war, and this was one great motive for hostile expe- 
ditions. When the supply from this source failed, in order to satiate 



the demands of the idol priests, a fearful blood-tribute was levied and 
exacted as systematically as a pecuniary tax. The combination of 
luxury and cruelty, refinement and superstition, the unrestrained en- 
joyment ami profligacy of the privileged classes, the terror of the 
abject, is an awful comment upon the condition of man without the 
Gospel. 

If we turn from the state of the Mexican empire to the narrative 
of the Spanish invasion and conquest, we open another most interest- 
ing page. The subversion of a powerful and warlike kingdom by 
a handful of foreign adventurers, the tale of marches, stratagems, 
and desperate battles, of imminent dangers and marvelous victories, 
sounds more like romance than veritable history. No imaginary 
description of the feats of heroes of chivalry surpasses the authentic 
record of the conquest of Mexico. With the gloomy close of Mon- 
tezuma's brilliant reign, the dark shadows that came over his fortunes 
after the landing of the mysterious strangers upon his coast, it is im- 
possible not to sympathize. His destruction was greatly due to his 
own superstitious fears. 

Strangely enough, oracles were current that the kingdom of Mexico 
would be overthrown by strangers from beyond the sea. The alarmed 
monarch dreaded from the first the men of destiny. His policy was 
vacillating and undecided, now deprecatory and submissive, now 
treacherous and hostile, and his heart sank within him at the steady 
and irresistible advance of the invaders. They were already estab- 
lished in the heart of the capital, and the sovereign a prisoner in their 
hands, ere the nation was fully aroused. Hut when it was awakened 
and exasperated by indignities to their king and insults to their 
religion, their fury was like the outburst of a tropical tornado. The 
canals of the city ran with blood and were choked with corpses, the 
onrushing multitudes cared nothing for their own lives so they might 
grapple with their enemies, drag them into their canoes, and carry 
them away in triumph to be sacrificed upon the altar of the war-god. 
By dint of desperate struggle Cortez and a remnant of exhausted fol- 
lowers escaped from the infuriated city. An aged and massive cypress 
still marks the spot where the fugitives halted for rest, a monument of 
the "Noche triste," the sorrowful night. 

But such resistance could only defer, for a short space, the triumph 
of the European, and his ultimate victory was signalized of course by 
religious as well as political revolution. The Spanish conqueror of 
the sixteenth century was a most sincere propagandist of his creed. 
The cross was emblazoned on his banner. The saint was his war-cry. 



5 

The Virgin was his tutelary Deity. The priest and friar accompanied 
the host. When a city was won, the idol was hurled from its shrine, 
and mass was celebrated in the temple. The future of the rich and 
beautiful regions subdued by Cortez was largely shaped by the strong 
religious bias of the nation from which he came. Spain was trans- 
planted to America — the Spain of Charles V. and Philip II. The 
subtle Jesuit and the Dominican Inquisitor came over with the mail- 
clad warrior. The natives who escaped the edge of the sword were 
compelled to submit to the new faith. Neither does their conversion, 
such as it was, seem to have been attended with much difficulty. It 
is no want bf charity to regard the change as merely superficial. 
Adoration was transferred from the Mexican idol to the Virgin, and 
images, certainly more attractive to the eye, supplanted the grim 
Aztec deities. Of the power of true Christianity they remained as 
unconscious as before. The shrewd ecclesiastic was not disposed to 
give too violent a shock to inveterate usages and habits. In many 
places old heathen rites still linger. In the favorite resort of Indian 
devotion, the Cathedral of our Lady of Guadalupe, may be now wit- 
nessed dances of native women, the remains of orgies celebrated for 
centuries on that very spot. In one respect, indeed, a happy ch?.nge 
was wrought. Human sacrifices were abolished. Victims were no 
longer extended upon the block, nor warm hearts reeking upon the 
altar. Christianity, in a corrupt form, showed its superiority in mercy. 
And yet, even in this point, Rome can not be held guiltless. She 
also claimed living sacrifices in the new world as in the old. The 
frowning walls of the Inquisition were reared, the fires of the Auto de 
Fe* were kindled, unhappy prisoners were consigned to those dark and 
fearful dungeons, never to revisit the light of day, and when the build- 
ing was partly demolished, bodies dried to mummies were found in the 
walls, where they had been shut up and left to perish. 

For more than three hundred years the power of Rome was supreme. 
Both politically and religiously Mexico was bound hand and foot. 
State and Church were closely united, and the foot of viceroy and 
priest was upon the neck of the people. The multitudes were kept 
in ignorance and the land impoverished, while immense convents 
were founded, grand churches erected, swarms of priests, monks, and 
nuns supported, and vast sums sent to prop up the languishing 
monarchy of Spain. But the principles of liberty, successfully as- 
serted by the American Revolution, could not, by the most jealous 
vigilance, be shut out from the Spanish colonies. They penetrated 
into Mexico as well as South America. Mexico became an inde- 



pendent nation. But the previous condition of the people had poorly- 
prepared them for self-government, and their annals for half a century 
are stormy and troublous. The Romish Church was too keen-sighted 
not to perceive that free institutions would be fatal in the end to her 
exclusive domination, and that religious toleration would of necessity 
follow civil liberty. Hence her intrigues have not been wanting to 
foment these internal dissensions. The party of constitutional free- 
dom and progress has had to contend against powerful Church in- 
fluence. But it succeeded in the enactment of the Constitution of 
1857, which establishes the principles of toleration and the equality 
of religions before the law. This was followed by the sequestration 
of conventual property and the suppression of religious orders. The 
first measure was defended on the ground that the wealth of these 
institutions had been drawn from the nation, and the nation might 
rightfully reclaim it, and the second was regarded as a measure of self- 
defense, and essential to the maintenance of a liberal government. 
To a citizen of the United States some of the restraints imposed upon 
the Roman Catholic Church may excite surprise, accustomed, as we 
are, to the spectacle of unrestricted management of their internal 
affairs by the various religious bodies. But there are dangers there 
of which we are unconscious. Rome bears not the loss of power, 
looks upon the whole land as her rightful possession, and has not 
abandoned the hope of regaining her former ascendency. Until a 
very recent period no other form of worship was openly celebrated, 
and while Rome could no longer control the State, and had greatly 
lost her hold upon intelligent and educated men, she still remained 
unchallenged in the domain of faith. Many who had lost belief in 
her dogmas still gave her an outward reverence. 

But spiritual light is now breaking upon the land, and within the last 
ten years a movement has been in progress full of promise and hope. 
Viewed in its origin, nature, and growth, and in connection with the 
country in which it appeared, it may be considered one of the remark- 
able movements of the age. It certainly has strong claims upon the 
attention and sympathy of the lovers of Scriptural truth and pure, 
primitive Christianity. And to none does it appeal more forcibly than 
to members of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States. 
Romanism, however deeply rooted in the sacred associations, early 
prejudices, and social habits of the people, has no longer an undis- 
puted field. A new communion has arisen, presenting the faith of the 
Lord Jesus Christ in a widely different aspect, and from small begin- 
nings has been rapidly spreading. Of the origin and history of this 
infant Church, a brief outline will be now presented. 



I 

7 

Of this plant, now growing so vigorously, it may be emphatically 
said, "The Seed was the Word of God." It differs from the Christian 
Missions of the day in that the apparent impulse came not from the 
living Missionary, but from the Bible. It sprang up from the bosom 
of the Papal Communion through the silent influence of the Holy 
Scriptures. When the attempt was made to seat the unfortunate 
Maximilian upon the throne of Mexico, advantage was taken of the 
new condition of things to introduce a considerable supply of copies 
of the Bible in the Spanish tongue. This was especially done by the 
British and Foreign Bible Society. The book found readers. Some 
of the precious seed fell upon ground prepared by Divine grace for its 
reception. Among those thus enlightened was a priest named Fran- 
cisco Aguilar. Upon him the reading of the volume produced like 
effects as upon Luther in the convent of Erfurth. He not only re- 
joiced in the discovery which was so precious to his own soul, but he 
longed to extend to others the blessings he had found. By him the 
first Protestant congregation, for the worship of God in the Spanish 
tongue and the preaching of the Gospel, was gathered in the City of 
Mexico. Protestant worship had been held by chaplains, both Ameri- 
can and French, but these services were not in the native tongue nor 
for the native population. The thought of Aguilar was to establish a 
Reformed Catholic Church, evangelical in doctrine and assimilated in 
model and polity to the primitive Apostolic pattern. He began with 
a little congregation of about fifty persons, which increased steadily 
under his assiduous labors. But his course was a brief one. His own 
exertions were exhausting, and persecution, none the less malignant 
if restrained from actual violence, was exceedingly harassing. Within 
two years he succumbed, pressing in his last moments the Bible to his 
heart. Among his papers was found the translation of a little volume, 
in which the right and duty of every man to search the Scriptures was 
powerfully argued. This was published by the Rev. H. C. Riley, and 
proved an effective ally to his work. 

The attention of the bereaved flock was directed to a Presbyter of 
the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, of American 
parentage, but of Chilian birth and education, who was ministering in 
the Spanish tongue to an Episcopal congregation in the city of New 
York. In view of the admirable fitness of the Rev. Henry C. Riley 
for the work in Mexico, it is no presumption to recognize the hand 
of God in this call. It was a startling summons to Mr. Riley, urging 
him to leave his kindred and congregation for a post of certain danger 
and uncertain results. When the expediency of establishing a mission 



8 

in Mexico was under consideration by the Foreign Committee of our 
Board, Mr. Seward, Secretary of State, was consulted, and he strongly 
dissuaded from the enterprise as involving too great risk for the mis- 
sionaries who should be sent there. After examining all the difficul- 
ties and perils involved, Mr. Riley decided to give himself to the work. 
Constrained by the love of Christ and zeal for the extension of His 
Kingdom, he "counted not his life dear unto himself, and none of 
these things moved him." The Foreign Committee declining the mis- 
sion, he went on his own responsibility and mainly at his own charges. 
Arriving in Mexico in 1869, he re-collected, as far as practicable, the 
scattered flock of Aguilar, teaching both publicly and from house 
to house. He labored not less effectively with his pen, circulating 
numbers of tracts of his own composition, explanatory of the great 
doctrines of the Gospel. He soon attracted public attention, and the 
jealous eyes of the dominant Church watched him with inquisitorial 
vigilance. A Catholic Society, with a layman for President, was 
formed with the express object of counteracting his growing influence. 
It is a mortifying fact for us to learn that the Minister of the United 
States then resident in Mexico, General Rosecranz, was in active 
sympathy with this Society. But in spite of opposition, Mr. Riley's 
hearers multiplied. He obtained from the Government one of the 
sequestrated conventual churches, San Jose de Gracia, and prepared 
to transfer thither his services. The rage of his enemies waxed hot, 
and only to the protecting hand of his Almighty Guardian can we 
ascribe it that his life was not cut short by the dagger of the assassin. 
The Romish party, unable to crush him by violence, determined to 
employ argument. For this purpose they selected one of the most 
eminent and learned ecclesiastics of the capital, Manuel Aguas, a 
Dominican friar, and very popular as a preacher. He examined Mr. 
Riley's publications with the intention of preparing a refutation. But 
the Lord led him by a way that he knew not. He was himself van- 
quished by the power of the truth. "There fell from his eyes as it 
had been scales." He discovered that he had been all his life in 
darkness, and that the work he had undertaken to oppose Avas of the 
Lord. He sought personal conference with Mr. Riley, and after pain- 
ful conflict and deep searchings of heart, he joined himself to that 
which he had been wont to look upon as an odious and heretical sect. 
This open adhesion to the new doctrine was a shock to his former 
associates not unlike that occasioned by the conversion of Saul of 
Tarsus. The church of San Jose de Gracia was about to be occupied 
by the congregation under Dr. Riley's care. Loud and deep were the 






threats that the blood of the worshipers should stain the pavement. 
What added fuel to the flame was the announcement that the preacher 
on that occasion would be none other than Mar_ 
Apostolic boldness the converted friar ascended the pulpit from which 
it was not unlikely he would be dragged to martyrdom, and before an 
immense audience proclaimed the Gospel. The favoring hand of God 
averted the danger of this first experiment of reformed worship in an 
old Romish church, and the deliver}- of the opening sermon : - . :.£- 
tinguished a convert. Manuel Aguas concluded his sermon without 
interruption, and went forward .vith zeal and intrepidity in his new 
vocation. From that time he was united with Mr. Ri'.ey in the : - 
sight of the Church. He was elected its first Bishop, and had e 
qualification for a leader. Trained in all the learning of the R: 
school, and conversant with the system of internal administration, he 
could speak intelligently upon all the points that came unde 
sion. Of unblemished character as well as great intellectual pc 
he commanded the respect of his bitterest enemies. Eml 
grand verities of the Gospel . si ople, childlike faith, and proc 
ing them with fervor and eloquence, he attracted large numbers tc 
hear the Word, and had the entire confidence and affection of the 
dock to whom he ministered. He seemed, indeed, pre; iseli the 
for the arduous and important charge for which he had been sele : te 
;hosen vessel of the Lc i 
The anger and astonishment created among his old ass 
be imagined. He was of course speedily excommur icate 
enemies could not, as a former generation would have done. ; 
him to the tender mercies of the Inquisition. He was chalk \ 
a public disputation. This he gladly accepted, and - the 

question for discussion, "Is the Church of 
Public expectation was intensely aroused, and on 
thousands wended their way - Jose Sreat precanl as 

i by the friends of Aguas for hi 
that way was made for him through the d- 

But when he arrived his antagonist did not make his appearance. 
Roman authorities had thought better of it. and concluded not to 
alio- an. Their selected theologian, who 

had been preparing himself, : to a distant place, 

alone. He had the field to himself, and he did no: 
tage of the great opportunity. He boldly accused Rome of the sin of 
idolatry, and sustained the charge by convin _ - - 

things were brought to the ears of many of his auditors, and 
given on that day to the Roma - - - v one. 



IO 

Aguas was busy with his pen as well as in his public ministry. In 
particular he replied to the sentence of excommunication in a tract, 
which for forcible style and keen sarcasm is worthy to be compared 
with "The Provincial Letters" of Pascal. No more lifelike portrait 
of the man can be presented than that which he himself has drawn 
upon the pages of this tract, and so well does it bring before the reader 
the nature of the controversy in which he was engaged, that I need 
not apologize for extracts of some length. Referring to his excom- 
munication, he says that the Romish Church deals no worse with him 
than with her own people, except by seeking to hold him up for public 
abhorrence and detestation. By withholding the cup, Rome substi- 
tuted a ceremony of her own invention for the ordinance of Christ, 
and virtually nullified the Lord's Supper. And to show the injustice 
of the anathema launched against him, he imagines the Apostle Paul 
returning to earth and visiting the Cathedral of the City of Mexico. 
He is received by the Archbishop and clergy with obsequious rever- 
ence, and entering the Cathedral, inquires the design and use of the 
various objects which meet his eye. The answers to his questions 
bring out one after another the falsehoods and abuses of Rome, and 
it is made apparent in the issue that Paul is as deserving of excommu- 
nication as Aguas. 

The tract is addressed to the Archbishop : 

" For my part I forgive. You curse me and I bless you ! You 
hate me and I love you in Jesus Christ. You would, if you had the 
power, conduct me to the flames, as your predecessors, the Inquisi- 
tors, have done many sincere Christians, and I desire that the Saviour 
conduct you to glory. I follow the religion which blesses, compas- 
sionates the sufferings of sinners, and all the more if they be enemies, 
and you follow the religion which curses, detests, excommunicates, 
and tortures, and whose vengeance is unsatisfied until it burns alive 
those who have the courage to open the Bible and declare to the peo- 
ple the truths which God has revealed, thus exposing the falsehoods 
inculcated by Rome. This only is my fault. You can not allege, 
brother Bishop, any other crime as cause for my excommunication. 

" But this is not to be wondered at, inasmuch as you adhere to a 
Christianity so corrupted by the Bishops of Rome, that if the primitive 
leaders of the faith were to rise from the dead, they could in no way 
recognize it. Let us suppose the Apostle St. Paul to reappear on 
earth and take a corporal form. Let us suppose, also, that the first 
city which he visits is Mexico, and that, as is natural, he directs his 
steps to the most conspicuous edifice of that capital, the Cathedral. 



II 

What cause of joy to yourself and to your subjects so illustrious a 
visitor ! You would doubtless make great preparations to receive 
him, placing a magnificent chair of state in the Tabernacle to be 
occupied by the Saint, while you honored him with a solemn chanted 
Mass. You would make a display of all your splendor and pomp, deck- 
ing yourselves with your richest and most costly ornaments. You would 
be attended by all the friars, clergy, and even the nuns, dispensed for 
the occasion from their usual confinement, all wearing their respective 
costumes, and the canons displaying their immense and glittering 
trains. You yourself would walk under a canopy, wearing your em- 
broidered mitre, showing upon your breast your rich pectoral, valued 
by competent judges at the sum of more than one hundred thousand 
dollars — pity that such wealth should not be devoted to the relief of 
the thousands of unfortunate and distressed families in Mexico. 

" With what surprise would the Holy Apostle see these fanciful and 
gorgeous vestments, bringing at once to his memory bacchanalian 
scenes among the heathen. In amazement he would ask, ' Who are 
ye ? ' With graceful politeness, and with an air of majesty, you would 
advance to pay your homage to the Apostle, you and all your retinue 
prostrating yourselves before him. St. Paul would recall the incident 
of his life when a priest of Jupiter, believing him to be the god Mer- 
cury, would have offered sacrifice to him at Lystra. Rending his gar- 
ments as at that time, he would cry out, ' Why do ye this ? I am 
myself a man like you. I supposed you to be Christians — but I see 
that I was in error. 1 am in the midst of idolatry.' You, rising up 
with precipitation, would endeavor to detain the Apostle from escap- 
ing, and would say, ' Fear not, holy Apostle, I am a Bishop of the 
Church of Christ, and these are my sheep.' Paul, recovered a little 
from his alarm, would follow you, although hesitatingly. On arriving 
at the Cathedral he would exclaim with admiration, ' What a beautiful 
temple ! Certainly you are fortunate in wresting this edifice from the 
ancient Aztecs, for I understand that here they formerly adored their 
god Huitzilopotchli. All these idols which adorn the walls of this 
temple reveal to me that they have belonged to the heathen. Bring 
me hammers and axes and let us proceed to destroy these images, so 
insulting to the true God.' 

" What would you answer him, brother Bishop ? I believe that in 
your heart you would justify the Saint, for you would then remember 
the commandment of the Lord (Ex. xx). Nevertheless, with some 
confusion, you would entreat the Apostle to pass around, and defer 
for a time his purpose. 



12 

" The blessed Apostle, affectionate and gracious, would permit the 
delay, and advance into the interior of the Cathedral. But now com- 
mences the chant of the choir, accompanied by the organ. He in- 
quires, ' In what language are those brethren singing ? ' 'In Latin,' 
you answer. ' Is then the Latin spoken and understood in Mexico ? ' 
1 No, sir ; here the Castilian alone is spoken.' ' How unfortunate,' 
the Apostle would reply, ' that you have not been acquainted with my 
Epistle to the faithful at Corinth, in the fourteenth chapter of which 
the Holy Spirit, by my mouth, recommends that nothing should be 
said or sung in the Church except in a language understood by the 
people. I said myself to these primitive Christians, I thank my God 
1 speak with tongues more than ye all. Yet in the Church I had 
rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might teach 
others, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.' 

" Before you could answer that just observation, the Holy Apostle 
would again ask, ' Why have ye not destroyed this altar of the Indians, 
upon which so many human victims must have been sacrificed ? Nay, I 
grieve to see that instead of destroying it, ye have preserved it most 
carefully and adorned it richly.' ' Sir,' you would answer, ' there is no 
human victim here offered. We use it for saying the Mass, in which 
we sacrifice Jesus, the victim whom we offer daily to the Father.' The 
Apostle might answer, ' What you mean by the word Mass I under- 
stand not, neither do I comprehend how it is that ye daily sacrifice 
Jesus Christ, who is in heaven at the right hand of the Father, in His 
glorified body and soul — who only on two occasions comes into this 
world ; first to suffer, which has already been accomplished, and the 
second time to judge, at the last day. 

" ' I see too plainly that though ye call yourselves Christians, ye are 
not so in reality, since ye do not know the New Testament. If you 
had read at least my Epistles you would have found repeated testi- 
monies that Jesus Christ was once sacrificed for the sins of many, and 
that He is never to be sacrificed again.' (He then quoted Rom. vi. 
9 ; Heb. vii. 26, 27 ; ix. 24-28 ; x. 10-18). 

" ' Neither suppose, brother Bishop, that I alone have so thought. 
All the Apostles agree with me in this. What says St. Peter in his 
first Epistle, hi. 18 ? How can you presume to tell me that you sacri- 
fice Christ daily when you celebrate that Mass, a thing to me wholly 
unknown ? How can you pretend to shed at every step that most 
precious blood of the Lord ! ' 

" You would answer, ' We do not in the Mass shed the blood of 
Jesus. Although the sacrifice upon Calvary was with shedding of 



13 

blood, it is our doctrine that the sacrifice of the Mass is unbloody.' 
Think you, brother Bishop, that this answer would satisfy the Holy 
Apostle ? ' Then,' he would reply, ' this, your alleged sacrifice, is 
wholly useless and unavailing, for in my Epistle to the Hebrews, i.x. 
22, I have taught without shedding of blood is no remission.' " 

Omitting the questions and answers concerning the vow of chastity 
and the forbidding the use of certain meats, and the Apostle's notice 
and queries touching the confessional boxes, and his castigation of the 
claim of priestly absolution, and reference to the dangers and abuses 
of the Confessional (and the previous acquaintance of the writer with 
the whole interior of the system, gives great weight to these expo- 
sures), I come to another question. 

" ' Pray tell me, brother Bishop, whence comes to my ears this 
metallic sound, as if it were the ring of silver money ? ' ' Sir, the 
faithful are paying for masses to be celebrated on the altar of pardon, 
in order to effect the release of souls from Purgatory.' ' What mean 
ye by this word Purgatory ? I already understand that the payment 
for masses signifies that these unworthy Bishops and Presbyters by 
taking this money imitate, so far as is in their power, the treacherous 
Judas, who sold his divine Master for thirty pieces of silver, with the 
difference, however, that Judas committed his frightful crime once, 
and here it is committed every day and many times a day. But the 
word Purgatory I do not understand ; explain it.' ' Sir, Purgatory is 
a dark and gloomy place, much like hell, where souls that have not 
made full satisfaction to God for their sins suffer in flames the most 
exquisite torments, until their relatives pay a dollar for the reciting of 
a mass on the altar of pardon ; for example, when, on the celebration 
of the said Mass, not only one, but five souls go forth from this place 
of torment.' 

" 'I know not with what conscience,' the Apostle would rejoin, 'ye 
can rob the public in so scandalous a manner, and wonder that the 
authorities do not suppress the altar and the abuse. But tell me, who 
taught you this fable of Purgatory, an old wives' fable, of which you 
find nothing in the Scriptures ? Nay, you are in the grossest error in 
supposing that men can satisfy God for their sins, which is an utter 
falsehood, however virtuous and imposing their works may be. Many 
passages of Scripture condemn this erroneous and dangerous doctrine. 
Read my Epistle to the Ephesians, ii. 8, 9 : " By grace are ye saved 
through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God ; not of 
works, lest any man should boast." Moreover, the blood of Jesus Christ 
cleanseth from all sin the souls that trust in Him. Wherefore invent 



14 

a place where souls are purified from sins by fire. But it is manifest 
that you have invented Purgatory in order to rob the people and en- 
rich yourselves.' 

" ' Tell me, what signifies this picture representing wretches in the 
midst of flames ? ' ' Sir,' you would have to answer, ' this is a repre- 
sentation of Purgatory, and it has been placed near the altar of par- 
don, in ordvir that the faithful may see plainly what their defunct 
relatives are suffering in the other world, whence it comes to pass 
that this poor little altar, so much abused, receives most profuse 
offerings.' 

" The holy Apostle, full of indignation, would say, ' Now I perceive 
that the images which adorn this temple have been placed here by 
yourselves, and not, as I thought at first, by the old Aztecs, and hence 
your refusal that they should be destroyed. But know, brethren, that 
all who adore graven images are idolaters.' .... But you would 
answer, ' Holy Apostle, although we adore these images, we do not 
direct our adorations to them absolutely, but to the saints in heaven 
whom they represent, whom we regard as our mediators, advocates, 
and intercessors with the Father, and therefore to them we direct our 
prayers, open our hearts, and disclose our wants. And great are the 
benefits we thus derive under our burdens and afflictions.' .... 
' Moreover, we possess many relics of the Saints, before which we 
kneel reverently, adore and kiss them, that by actions so meritorious 
we may gain many indulgences and the remission of all our sins.' 



" ' What are these relics that you have ? ' exclaims the wondering 
Apostle. You hasten to display the precious gifts of which you are 
so proud. ' Look,' you say, ' this thread is the remainder of the gar- 
ment of St. Anna ; this old shoe was worn by the Apostle Thomas ; 
the beads of this rosary were made from the stones with which 
Stephen was killed ; this hood belonged to the greatest of the in- 
quisitors, Domingo de Guzman, by whom so many heretics were 
burned ; these teeth' — 'Silence !' the Apostle would answer, 'I want 
no more teeth, no more lies, no more of these pitiful superstitions. I 
desire earnestly that ye may know the true religion, that ye become 
Christians, for at present ye are real idolaters, attributing great efficacy 
to despicable amulets. Bring me a Bible immediately and I will show 
you.' 'We have no Bible in the Cathedral.' 'How? Not a single 
copy of the sacred volume in this which you tell me is a Christian 
Church?' 'Not one, holy Apostle.' 'Then let one of these. boys in 
red vestments run tx> a street which is called street of San Francisco, 



i5 

where, in passing by, I noticed a Bible depository, and buy one.' 
' On no account, blessed Saint. Those are the Bibles with which the 
Protestants, on Sunday, the second of July, gave us such a shock that 
we are scarcely yet recovered. Better let one of our annotated 
Bibles be brought. Let the father Sacristan, who lives here, bring his 
Bible.' 

"Then the said father would advance, making to you, Brother 
Bishop, a thousand genuflexions and reverences, and in a tremulous 
voice would say, ' Most illustrious, reverend, excellent, and pious sir, 
the Bible that I have is that 'of Vence, but it is imperfect — there re- 
mains but the first volume, and even that has been gnawed by the 
rats. If it please your very illustrious and pious Lordship, I will 
bring it immediately.' ' Leave me,' you reply. 

" The holy Apostle, with indignant manner, would reprove you 
thus : ' Why do you despise, in this manner, the word of God? If ye 
have fallen into so great errors, it is because ye are ignorant of the 
holy Scriptures. Well do the words of Jesus to the Sadducees suit 
you. "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures." You have formed 
with your own hands these images, and bow down to them and wor- 
ship them, and thus commit the dreadful sin of idolatry, which God 
solemnly forbade in the second commandment of the Decalogue.' 
' Sir,' you would say, ' in order to rid ourselves of the great blemish 
of idolatry, our King (the Pope) has ordered the suppression of that 
second commandment in the Catechism which we put in the hands 
of the children. By this ingenious artifice we have been able to 
deceive the people and to get from them the money which we so 
much need.' " 

One more extract. " « I can now understand,' " the Apostle is 
represented as saying, "'why you teach such things, since your object 
is, as you confess, to obtain money from the people, and for that end 
you have established a religion which is not the religion of God, but 
the religion of money. But what astonishes me is that the poor 
people, having, as they must have, the Bible in their hands, can suffer 
themselves to be so misled. Even we who wrought miracles did not 
ask our hearers to believe upon our word, but daily to ' search the 
Scriptures, and see whether these things were so.' Acts xvii : n. 
How is it that your subjects have believed you ? ' 

" Brother Bishop, as a man of veracity, you would be obliged to 
answer : ' The people may not read the Bible without notes ; so doing 
they would incur the greater excommunication. Only persons in 
whom we repose perfect confidence, and who are interested in pre- 



io 

serving our dogmas, are licensed to read the book, with the notes and 
explanations of Roman Saints.' The Apostle would answer, ' How ? 
A license to read the Bible, which, as I wrote in my second Epistle to 
Timothy, " is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doc- 
trine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." If 
a license be required to read this sacred book which God has vouch- 
safed to mortals, why not a license needed to breathe the free air or 
enjoy the light of the sun ? But tell me wherefore has the reading of 
the Bible been prohibited?' 

" You would answer, ' Because the Holy Council of Trent declared 
that book to be mischievous, dangerous, and likely to lead souls to 
error and perdi tion.' 

"The holy Apostle would reply, 'But when God declares just the 
contrary, whom are we to believe? Moreover, Jesus expressly 
charges men, " Search the Scriptures, for they testify of me." Why 
have the people obeyed man rather than God ? ' 

" Brother Bishop, I suppose you to be a man of truth and sincerity. 
1 suppose, therefore, that you would answer the holy Apostle, ' those 
who dared to read the Bible without license and have credited its 
teachings, have been straightway led to a horrible tribunal, known by 
the name of the Holy Inquisition, have been thrown into dark and 
damp dungeons, their bones have been broken, they have been cruelly 
tortured, and if they possessed the courage to persevere in their 
opinions, they have been conducted to the flames, where they have 
been cruelly tortured, and roasted alive, and consumed to ashes. 
Many thousands has the Holy Inquisition destroyed in the fire.' " 

These extracts are sufficient to show the intellectual vigor of the 
author, his mastery of the whole subject, his uncompromising bold- 
ness, and the keen edge of his controversial weapon. As an op- 
ponent of Romish corruptions and priestly frauds, as well as a 
preacher of the Gospel of salvation, his trumpet gave no uncertain 
sound. 

Through the labors of Aguas, Riley, and some faithful helpers, the 
work prospered greatly, and extended from the capital to neighboring 
towns and villages. A simple liturgy was prepared, and proved a very 
efficient aid in diffusing the principles of the Gospel and building up 
congregations. Bible readers, men unversed in scholastic lore, but 
full of faith and zeal, carried the glad tidings from village to village, 
experiencing often the same treatment as the first heralds of the cross, 
but persevering and undismayed. In the City of Mexico an important 
acquisition was made in the purchase Of another of the old conventual 



17 

churches, San Francisco. This is a magnificent edifice, in which an 
audience of two thousand might be assembled, with a chapel adjacent 
capable of accommodating three hundred persons, situated on the 
principal street of the city. The church is only inferior to the cathe- 
dral in dimensions, and of a better style of architecture. It is every 
way suited to be a center of mission work. Hitherto the chapel only 
has been used, but efforts are now made to put the church in repair, 
and great advantages are anticipated from its use in public worship. 

The course of Aguas, like that of Aguilar, was soon terminated. In 
labors he was most abundant, preaching from twelve to fifteen ser- 
mons a week in addition to manifold cares of oversight and pastoral 
duty. Under these exertions, as well as the harassing effects of per- 
secution and calumny upon a sensitive spirit, his health gave way. In 
187 1 he rested from his labors. There was no place for his remains 
in what was called consecrated ground, and they were interred in the 
American cemetery. At this time Mr. Riley was absent, having been 
detained in New York by the death of his father. The infant Church 
suffered greatly from this sore bereavement and the want of a recog- 
nized head, and advantage was taken of its affliction to divide congre- 
gations and draw off members. Under these circumstances a petition 
was forwarded by the Synod of the Church to the House of Bishops 
of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, praying them 
to take measures for conveying to the Church in Mexico the Episcopal 
Office, offering to give guarantees respecting faith and order. This 
petition was presented to the Bishops in October, 1874, and led to 
the appointment of a Mexican Commission, consisting of seven Bish- 
ops, at whose request the writer visited Mexico for personal examina- 
tion and conference during the last winter, accompanied by the Rev. 
H. Dyer, D.D., of New York. There has yet been no opportunity 
for action upon his report. 

In a work of such recent origin, and exposed to such severe trials 
and interruptions, many things must of course be yet in an inchoate 
shape and condition. The Liturgy in use is understood to be provis- 
ional. Surprise has been sometimes expressed that it differs from 
the services of our Prayer-Book. But it should be borne in mind 
that this is a Reformed Mexican Church, not a branch of the Protest- 
ant Episcopal Church transplanted to Mexico. It is no exotic, but an 
indigenous growth. It did not originate in a mission from this coun- 
try. We have no right to exact precise and rigid conformity to our 
model. Our kindly counsel and advice will be most respectfully and 
gratefully received, but dictation would be sure to awaken the spirit 



i8 

of national jealousy among a very sensitive people. The present 
Liturgy is simple, scriptural, and responsive. It embodies the Apos- 
tles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, the Decalogue, portions of the Te 
Deum, and the Gloria in Excelsis. The doctrine of the Trinity is 
made very prominent, distinct petitions being offered to each person 
of the Godhead, and the sole intercession of the Lord Jesus as the 
one Mediator is everywhere recognized. Lessons from both the Old 
and New Testaments are read, but there is no prescribed Lectionary. 

A full and permanent Liturgy must be formed by the deliberate and 
mature action of the Church that is to use it, a Church, be it remem- 
bered, whose members are of Spanish, not Anglo-Saxon race and edu- 
cation. Precious materials may be drawn from the ancient Mozarabic 
Liturgies ; lime, learning, study, and experience must all contribute to 
perfect so important a work as the permanent cultics of this Church. 

From the beginning the ideal in the minds of the leaders of this 
movement was a Church purified from Romish errors and corrup- 
tions, but retaining the primitive constitution of the Spanish Ante- 
Nicene Church, and closely allied to the Protestant Episcopal Church 
in the United States. The hope was cherished at the outset of ob- 
taining the adhesion of one of the Mexican Bishops, and thus perpet- 
uating the ministry in the order which they desired, but the way was 
not then opened. Afterward, having elected Aguas as their future 
Bishop, they looked forward to the day when he could be consecrated 
to his office. Disappointed in this earnest desire, they still waited 
patiently without resorting to any other mode of ordination. Men 
who felt themselves called by the Holy Spirit testified to their coun- 
trymen the doctrines of Salvation. So far as possible the sacraments 
were ministered by Dr. Riley and converted priests. It was a mem- 
orable day, February 24, 1875, when the first ordination in Mexico 
was held by a Protestant Bishop. The full service of our Church in 
the Spanish tongue was used, the sermon being preached by the Rev. 
Dr. Riley. When the Epistle was read, Acts vi., "Wherefore, breth- 
ren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the 
Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business," 
the unintentional 'coincidence of seven persons being presented for 
ordination, made quite an impression. After the service the emotion 
shown was very touching, the newly ordained Deacons throwing them- 
selves into each other's arms and weeping for joy. As it was so un- 
certain when another opportunity would be presented, ordination to 
the Presbyterate followed a few days after. 

The doctrines of the " Church of Jesus" are in accord with the 



*9 

Creeds and Articles of the Protestant Episcopal Church. As in the 
era of the Reformation, the revulsion from Rome is strong and de- 
cided. Papal corruption and oppression are to them fearful realities. 
Those who have given up friends and prospects of earthly advantage, 
and are hazarding their lives in the struggle for a pure faith, are not 
inclined to compromise with such an enemy. Two doctrines espe- 
cially hold in their minds the same high position with which they were 
regarded by the champions of the Reformation — the Holy Scriptures, 
the standard of faith and practice, and the right of every man to read 
them under his responsibility to God ; and justification by the merits 
of Jesus Christ, through faith alone. 

The rapid increase of the " Church of Jesus" in Mexico is fitted to 
awaken strong hopes for the future. It counts now over fifty congre- 
gations, of which thirteen were organized within two months after the 
writer's visit. Many of these are small, but others number from three 
to four hundred, and in some villages the larger part of the population 
is embraced. The reformation in morals is in such places very ob- 
servable. It is safe to reckon that over six thousand souls are at this 
time under the influence of the Church. In the capital are six con- 
gregations, two of them quite large, from which came the greater part 
of one hundred and thirty candidates who received the rite of con- 
firmation. Had time permitted, other classes would have been pre- 
pared and the number greatly increased. An evidence of the extent 
to which the work has spread was furnished by the visit of delegations 
from remote congregations, some of whom had traveled many miles. 

As in Apostolic days, the converts are largely '■ the poor of this 
world rich in faith." The proportion of Indians is veiy considerable. 
The obloquy encountered and the worldly sacrifices to be made are 
great obstacles in the way of persons of high social position. It is 
" hard for the rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." The spirit 
of persecution is none the less bitter because its outward demonstra- 
tions are checked by law. Some of those who were ordained, young 
men of good families, had been cast off by their own parents for hav- 
ing joined this Church. There is no reason to doubt that the present 
Government is sincere in its desire to enforce the laws of toleration, 
and it succeeds in the capital as well as could be expected. But in 
remote districts its arm is comparatively weak, while an ignorant and 
fanatical populace is easily excited to violence by artful priests. Such 
an outbreak took place last winter at Acapulco, on the occasion of a 
visit from a Presbyterian missionary, when some six or seven persons 
lost their lives. The " Church of Jesus" in Mexico has had its mar- 



20 

tyrs and confessors. One of its Bible readers was slain while I was 
in the country, another since my departure, and I met more than one 
who bore in the " body the marks of the Lord Jesus." But the spirit 
of genuine Christianity is shown not only in willingness to suffer and 
die for Christ, but also in the return of evil for good and blessings for 
curses. There has been little complaint heard from the suffering 
Church. Indignities, revilings, and outrages have been patiently borne, 
and " with well doing they seek to put to silence the ignorance of 
foolish men." Like the early Christians, they are assailed by false and 
odious accusations. One of the senseless slanders put in circulation 
was, that in their meetings an image of Christ was beaten, and every 
one present compelled to inflict a blow ; another, that a picture of the 
Virgin Mary was placed upon the floor, just inside of the door, so that 
whoever entered would be compelled to trample on it. And as the 
early apologists complain that pestilence, famine, flood, and other 
public disasters were imputed to the wrath of the old Pagan gods pro- 
voked by the Christians, so in Mexico the so-called heretics are charged 
with being the cause of destructive earthquakes. Sacred history re- 
peats itself as well as secular. 

While the evangelist is exposed to obvious dangers from fanatical 
bigotry, there is not the same risk for the native worker as for the for- 
eigner. The missionary from abroad, especially from the United 
States, arouses national and political as well as religious prejudices. 
And herein is largely the hope and promise of the movement under 
consideration. It is of Mexican origin, and carried forward by native 
laborers. Peradventure God in His Providence is thus preparing the 
way for the extension of the pure Gospel among the millions on this 
continent speaking the Spanish tongue. We know how inaccessible 
they have seemed to missionary enterprise. But let a Mexican Church 
be established, presenting the truth as it is in Jesus, and the light thus 
enkindled would extend its beams to the Antilles and the Continental 
Spanish-American States. A great company of preachers would go 
forth, sister churches would spring up, and light-towers be kindled 
along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Nay, it is no extreme supposi- 
tion that the radiance will extend across the ocean, and that from the 
countries to which Spain sent her fierce, armed propagandists in the 
sixteenth century, may be returned to her the much-needed influences 
of pure and Apostolic Christianity. Such hopes are not to be put 
aside as idle dreams, when we see what has already been done. A 
Reformed Church, numbering more than fifty congregations, and cele- 
brating its worship in grand temples in the very heart of the City of 



21 



Mexico, has been gathered within the space of ten years, in the face 
of virulent prejudice and fanatical opposition. 

Surely such a work, opening such prospects, may wel cheer the 
hearts and encourage the hopes of the lovers of truth and holiness. 

To our own Church is the appeal for sympathy and aid urgent y 
made and much depends on the way in which it is received arid the 
« ponse with which it is met. The attention of other Christian bodie 
ha been drawn to this remarkable work of Divine grace, and they 
have shown their customary readiness to embrace the opening. While 
doinc justice to their liberality and zeal, it does seem an unhappy 
thin, that, a. so critical a moment, minds just emerging from Konush 
error should be distracted by sectarian emulations, and the divisions 
among Protestants should furnish such a powerful argument to he 
enen,;. The questions between the "Church of Jesus" and the 
dominant religion are just the broad, deep, ineffaceable questions 
be ween the Papal system and real Christianity. It ,s to be regretted 
tha o her points should be thrust in, and that banners of various hue 
ho. Id be hrown to the breeze, especially as the field ,s so wide and 
many points might be selected for operation without Pdcbmg'enfia 
close" beside the* congregations previously gathered by tahb I and 
self-denying labors. But, this much we may learn, if we withhold the 
hand of feuowsnip, the cordial God-speed and substanlial evidences 
of sympathy, there are organized societies all ready to grasp the op- 
portunities which W e neglect. To us the hearts and wishes of that 
wlich is in truth the Church of Christ in Mexico, are now turned. 
We can impart to them gifts that none others can and gifts upon 
which they set a high value. We can engage, with peculiar advantage 
„ a grand and holy work. "A great door and effectual ,s opened 
„„,o us of the Lord." If it be added, "and there are many adver- 
saries," this is no new experience in the history of Christ s religion. 

ALFRED LEE. 



APPENDIX. 



Since the publication of the foregoing statement, as an article in 
the Church Review, October, 1875, a new shape has been given to 
the Reformation in Mexico by the proceedings of the Mexican coin- 
mission above mentioned, and the action of the Bishops of the 
Protestant Episcopal Church thereupon. The Commission, after 
very full and earnest consideration of the report made by the visiting 
Bishop, and the accompanying documents, accepted and approved his 
report. Among the resolutions adopted were the following : 

"Whereas, In the opinion of this Commission, there is sufficient 
evidence of the existence in Mexico of presbyters and brethren who 
are ?4exican citizens, owing no allegiance to the Government of these 
United States, but recognizing the Episcopate of this Church, and 
seeking further organization under its nursing care : 
• "Resolved, That the record of Synodical action, and other documents 
laid before us, indicate the provisional organization of a Church in 
Mexico, which justifies our recognition of such Church under Article 
X. of our Constitution. 

"Resolved, That we recognize the fact that said Church has certified 
to us the election of two Presbyters as Missionary Bishops of said 
Church by due Synodical action; but finding the testimonials furnished 
in evidence of said election in some respects less than a full equiva- 
lent of the formulated testimonials under which the Episcopate was 
imparted to our own Church, we hereby respectfully suggest that such 
testimonials as shall be equivalent thereto be further supplied by the 
aforesaid Church in Mexico, according to historical forms to be by us 
sent for their consideration." 

The Commission also resolved to lay before the Bishops of the 
Protestant Episcopal Church a formal Covenant or Articles of Agree- 



23 

lent bet'veen the Bishops and " The Mexican Branch of the Catholic 
:hurch of our Lord Jesus Christ Militant upon Earth" (the title 
ssumed by said Church at its Synodical meeting in August, 1875), 
1 further and definite settlement of relations with said .Church in 

lexico. 
After hearing and discussion of this report, the following action 
as taken, nemine co?itradicente : 

1. " Resolved, That the Bishops in Council learn with deep gratitude 

the facts presented in the Report of their Com mis- 
desire to render frate^ 1 the full settlement 
in Branch of the Catholic Church of Our Lord Jesus 

irist Ai upon Earth,' in its possession of Scriptural truth and 

losulic ordej." 

2. "Resolved, That the Bishops in Council, by their Commiesion to 
appointed with full authority to represent them (the said Bishops) 
conclusive action, agree to the ratification of Articles of Agreement 

ith the Mexican Church aforesaid, duly represented by its regularly 

-nstituted Synodical authority, and the Commission to be appointed 

that purpose is hereby empowered to correspond with the repre- 

itatives of the said Mexican Church in order to the final ratification 

the aforesaid Articles of Agreement." 

Further resolutions empower the Commission, when said ratification 
11 have taken place, to examine and report to the Presiding Bishop 
>n the evidence of election and testimonials of qualification of the 
son or persons presented for ordination to the Episcopate, and also 
nest and empower the Presiding Bishop, when he shall have re- 
ed such report from the Commission, to take order for the conse- 
ion of persons to him recommended by the Commission. 
Lfter the adoption of these resolutions the members of the first 
nmission were reappointed. 

lie action of the Bishops was not only in itself most satisfactory to 

friends of this infant Church, but eminently gratifying in its cordial 

. nimity. This important movement has now the avowed sympathy 

ur Episcopate. While the work is opening wonderfully in Mexico, 

advocates here are placed in a new and highly favorable position. 

it is now needed is such material aid as will insure the carrying 

ard of its operations, and relieve those at its head from harassing 

iniary anxieties. The native laborers have manifested eminent 

denial, and are content with the scantiest support. fc Even this 

been of late uncertain, and fears have been entertained lest it 

it be necessary to disband some of the workers, and narrow the 



24 I 

held of operations, when the Providence of God seemed to point so 
clearly to enlargement. Seldom is such an opportunity given to a 
Church as that which is now extended to us. Earnest, generous em- 
brace of this great opening will tell upon the future of pure Christianity 
upon this Continent in a way that we can scarcely limit. The regen- 
eration of Spanish America may, in God's marvelous Providence, grow 
out of this germ of true Evangelic faith. Let our Church respond 
with one heart to a call so unwonted and so urgent. A. LEE. 



Contributions — whether large or small— are earnestly solicited, 
and may be sent to George A. Brown, Esq., General Treasurer in 
England for "The League in aid of the Mexican Branch of 
the Church," care of Messrs. Brown, Shipley & Co., London, 
England. 

C 



NEW YORK : 

PUBLISHED BY THE "LEAGUE IN AID OF THE MEXICAN BRANCH OF THE 

CHURCH." 



MEXICO REBORN 

The Processes at Work for the 
Regeneration of the Nation 

By JULIUS MORITZEN 

Author of "The Peace Movement of America," etc. 
"The War and a Greater Scandinavia," etc. 




DISTRIBUTION OF LAND IN YUCATAN, MEXICO. 

Published by 

LATIN-AMERICAN NEWS ASSOCIATION 
1400 Broadway, New York City 



r 







PATIO DE MIRTERIA. 
Inner Court in Mining School, Mexico City. 




ELEMENTARY SCHOOL JN MIXCOAC, MEXICO, 



MEXICO REBORN 

By JULIUS MORITZEN 

Viewed dispassionately, the Mexican problem differs little 
from the problems that have confronted other nations in their 
progress from dependence to full-fledged liberty. The very 
nearness of Mexico to the United States, however, has tended, 
in numerous ways, to obscure the vision as to the causes and 
effects of the revolutionary movement across the Rio Grande. 
Further than this', while most national transitions have been 
concerned with throwing off shackles placed on the people from 
without, Mexican liberation is the result of an internal purify- 
ing process whereby those in higl? places, having abused their 
trust, were compelled to step dow? and permit restorative meas- 
ures to gain the ascendence. j 

"We shall establish, by means of our laws, the welfare to 
which the citizen of any and everj| country is entitled; we shall 
produce a transformation in international legislation which has 
become a necessity." 

In this terse sentence, from a speech by General Carranza, 
delivered at San Luis Potosi, December 26th, 1915, there is 
summed up the complete political program of reconstruction of 
the Mexican Constitutionalists. This declaration of independ- 
ence perforce casts off the yoke of the taskmaster. It reveals 
the Mexican character as something different than merely a 
soldier of the revolution. Constructive statesmanship is seen 
as the great promise on the horizon of the neighboring re- 
public. Partisan rivalry, or struggle for leadership, vanishes into 
thin air when a nation's future is at stake. Has Carranza kept 
faith with his conscience when he refused to follow Huerta on 
the latter's unholy path from traitorous complicity in the murder 
of President Madero to the dictatorship? Are the Constitu- 
tionalists nearer their goal today than when jealous reaction- 
aries attempted to tear into tatters the fabric spun with blood 
and tears against a common foe? What are the forces at work 
for the purpose of a regenerated Mexico ? 

The writer traces his main interest in the Mexican people 
and their aspirations to an address delivered by Luis Cabrera, 
minister of finance in the Carranza government, before the' 
Clark University conference on Latin America, at Worcester,. 
Mass, in November, 1913. No other speaker so stirred the 
audiences during the several days of the conference as did this 
man who bore a message that came straight from the heart. 
Mr. Cabrera's plea for a compassionate examination of the Mexi- 
can problem was made in the face of other arguments aiming 



to uphold the rule of Porfirio Diaz as ideally suited to the needs 
of Mexico. In many subsequent conversations with the chair- 
man of the Mexican Joint Commission it has been borne home 
that however much the travail essential to the regeneration of 
the republic, the underlying idealism is the only real founda- 
tion for a government that is to last. That is the reason why 
Mexicans actuated by the highest sense of loyalty to their land 
refuse to accept make-shift policies bound to be but for the 
moment. It is for this reason that President Wilson's "watch- 
ful waiting" has proved to be in accord with what is best under 
• the existing circumstances. Mistakes there have been made 
on both sides of the border in regard, not so much to motives, 
as to methods. But, high above parleys and discussions floats 
the standard that means America for the Americans. Mexico 
has subscribed to this despite all that may be said regarding 
internal strife. To make known some of the chief agencies mak- 
ing for the greater Mexico is the purpose of this article. 

CARRANZA AS A SYMBOL 

The least understood personality in all Mexico is General 
Venustiano Carranza, the de facto head of the Mexican govern- 
ment^ Why is this so? Has not General Carranza been plenti- 
fully in the public eye? Have not friends and foes admired 
and hated him according to their conceptions of the man ? Have 
not his public acts marked him for what he is, viewed as he 
has been from this or that angle? All this is true. But the 
leadership vested in the First Chief of the Constitutionalists is 
more like an authoritative interpretation of all that the nation 
has suffered and hoped for long before even Porfirio Diaz let 
go his iron rule. It is not in Carranza to be a' master of men 
in the ordinary sense of that term. If he is today a disci- 
plinarian it is because that is the necessary means to a certain 
end. If there are those who consider the de facto head unap- 
proachable, it is not because Carranza is not most kindly dis- 
posed towards all. As a matter of fact, Venustiano Carranza's 
personality and characteristics have nothing whatever to do 
with the principle for which he stands before the world. He 
merely symbolizes a great ideal. Restoration of the land to the 
natives; improved school facilities; elevating the position of 
the_ women of Mexico ; utilizing the national wealth as bound 
up in the soil ; establishing harmonious relations with her neigh- 
bors, these are some of the chief aims of the country, and Car- 
ranza unquestionably understands better than anyone else that 
the charge imposed on him is a privilege to be guarded most 
.zealously without personal reward. 

Those misled by superficial judgment or impatient because of 
what they considered a too slow progress, have been prone to 
say that the establishment of complete peace in Mexico depends 
only on the energy with which the country is governed. Let us 
hear how Mr. Cabrera met these assertions at the Worcester 



gathering on that memorable day in November three years 

"All foreigners in Mexico," Mr. Cabrera said, "look for a 
strong government, an iron hand or iron fist, and the only thing 
they discuss is whether a certain man is sufficiently strong or 
energetic to govern the country. And when they find a man 
with such qualities, foreigners always have believed that it was 
their duty to help that man to come into power and support him. 
It is necessary to rectify foreign opinion about strong govern- 
ments in Mexico. A strong government is not the one able to 
maintain peace by the mere force of arms, but the one which 
can obtain the support of the majority of the country. Any 
peace obtained by the system of the iron fist is only a temporary 
peace. Permanent peace in Mexico must be based on certain 
economic, political and social conditions which would produce 
a stable equilibrium between the higher and the lower classes 
of the nation." 

The idea of impersonal leadership among Latin Americans 
is a thought so new that few realize that it is scarcely less 
revolutionary than the effort of the people themselves to be- 
come free in all that the word imports. The Man on Horse- 
back has always been the dominant figure in any uplift move- 
ment among the republics of South and Central America. Presi- 
dent Diaz was the personification of such a type. Democratic 
as he was to a fault, Francisco Madero held brief power through 
an emotionalism that, well meaning as it was, failed utterly 
to weigh the "pros" and "cons" where suddenly a nation, held in 
virtual bondage, felt the first exhiliration of new found free- 
dom. 

Carranza, on the other hand, came upon the scene when re- 
action threatened to undo everything that Madero had aspired 
to achieve. There was no thought of leadership when the 
former governor of Coahuila left his pleasant farmstead to 
stay the hand of the usurper, Huerta. How can it be for- 
gotten with what scorn Carranza spurned the offer of Huerta 
to join issues with him! No, whoever avers that the First 
Chief has personal ambitions beyond what is necessary to ad- 
vance the good of Mexico, fails utterly to comprehend his motive. 
His very sincerity of purpose, in fact, his enemies have falsely 
interpreted as meaning disrespect to the neighbor with whom 
above all others he desires to remain at peace. No character 
study of this man will aid in deciphering his psychological 
makeup. For Carranza is Mexico incarnate; Mexico, not as 
it has been for years and years, but the Mexico of the future. 

Yes, may come the answer to this ; but if Carranza is so little 
a prey to personal ambition, why does he not obliterate him- 
self, instead of running the risk of being charged with ambitious 
designs? Let it be understood once for all that Venustiano Car- 
ranza is no coward. To let go the leadership in the face of 
intrigue within and without the land would have stamped him 
as unworthy of the great task resting upon his shoulders. The 



I 
Washington administration realises this. It is not for nothing 
that President Wilson looks compassionately across the Rio 
Grande and views with all the 'anxiety of a parent the newer 
republic of Mexico trying to find itself. Is it not a fact that the 
re-election of Woodrow Wilson emphasizes that after all the 
American people wants Mexico to shape her own destiny? 
What better evidence that the ties are being strengthened be- 
tween the two countries than that the commonwealths nearest 
the Mexican border gave consent to the President's Mexican 
policies through a vote of confidence? Let be that Carranza 
is not well versed in the usages of diplomacy as practised fre- 
quently to the detriment of the nations represented by suave 
statesmen. But he is honest with himself, and no other man 
could have done half as well as he under circumstances similar 
to those that have confronted him. 

SOLVING THE LAND QUESTION 

While interest in the Mexican situation, from the American 
point of view, has centered on the Joint High Commission and 
its work at Atlantic City, it may not be without value to take 
a look across the border and see what is being done apart from 
the military exigencies. A monumental work is under way 
in the state of Yucatan, where Governor Salvador Alvarado has 
been superintending the distribution of land to the Indians. 
It is, of course, true that by reason of its location Yucatan 
escaped largely the depredations of the bands that sprung into 
existence at the instance of Villa's defection. But this merely 
clinches the argument that when it is possible for Yucatan to 
do justice to the peons, the same can be done elsewhere through- 
out the republic when normal conditions are once fully re- 
stored. . 

The New York Times, in a recent interview with Modesto 
C. Rolland, who is doing a constructive work in the United 
States through familiarizing Americans with the Educational 
movement now under way in his native Mexico, said pointedly : 
"Many preconceived, commonly held, matter of course notions 
about Mexico melt away under the spell of Modesto C. Rolland's 
faith and optimism. You go to him with that superior feel- 
ing of the citizen of a great, prosperous, peaceful, well-governed 
country toward the savage, but nevertheless determined to be 
kind and considerate, almost apologetic, while asking him why, 
if he knows, his country is such a Dark Age disgrace to the 
American hemisphere and if it will ever be any different." 

Then follows Mr. Rolland-s answer. He tells in simple words 
that the world at large judges his country solely by those 
accidents incident to the revolution itself. But to Mr. Rolland 
the revolution has been a great promise. Here and there through 
the republic, he affirms, there has already been fulfillment. A 
new national life has been created under the social, political 
and economic conditions which the Mexican people have been 

6 



hoping for in the course of a century. To quote from the in- 
terview in Mr. Rolland's owiji words regarding the land ques- 
tion : "Of course, the great piece of reconstruction work has 
been the redistribution of the land, and this too, has been 
done without confiscation. In the first place, we took away 
from the former holders all the land that they held by fraud. 
That amounted to many thousands of acres. Then we bought 
from them as much more as was needed to give to the head 
of every family a tract of about forty acres. For this we paid 
in fifty-year gold bonds at 4 per cent. Although we have only 
just now given title to the small holdings to the farmers we 
know that the plan is going to work because of the results of 
two years of experimenting. These small farms were first lent 
to the people for the two-year period to see what they would 
do with them and to give all the people the opportunity to 
find out how they wanted things adjusted before making any- 
thing final. The forty-acre experiment was a success. No land 
was awarded except to a man who agreed to work it to the best of 
his ability for the benefit of his family. No holding was thrust 
upon anybody whether or no. But of the 50,000 family heads 
in the state, 40,000 came forward and applied for the farms, 
and in the two years of probation practically all of them showed 
themselves fit for ownership." 

General Salvador Alvarado, already referred to as the Governor 
of Yucatan, is a' military leader who perceives with all the 
force of conviction that the army is an expedient, at present 
necessary, but only in so far as it aids in restoring that order 
which must precede the fullest development of the republic. 
Governor Alvarado has but one hobby : education The culti- 
vation of the soil from a scientific standpoint, adequate school 
instruction, better homes and family environments, in the at- 
taining of all this the Governor of Yucatan is a natural leader 
whose constructive example is spreading to other sections of 
Mexico. The Maya Indians certainly have come to call the 
name of Governor Alvarado blessed. The regenerative effects 
of his land policy are seen everywhere in Yucatan. The situa- 
tion there is now such that where prior to the revolution the 
2,000 landowners paid toward the support of the state in taxes 
for their exclusive use and ownership of something over 70,000 
square miles of land $50,000 a year, taxes from the same land 
paid on an equitable basis both by the 2,000 old landc ^vners 
and the many thousand new owners of the forty-acre tracts 
now amount to $3,000,000 annually. Carrying into effect the 
new agrarian laws has been responsible for this momentous 
change. 

Franklin K. Lane, Secretary of the Interior, on a recent oc- 
casion expressed himself regarding the Mexican land question 
to the effect that the things that Mexico needs are few, but 
fundamental. He summarized as follows : "Mexico needs a land- 
tax system which will make it impossible to hold great bodies 
of idle land for selfish reasons and which will make it unneces- 



- 



_y 



sary for the Government to sell concessions in order to support 
itself. It also needs a school system by which popular educa- 
tion may be given to all the people as it is given in the United 
States. Along with the primary schools, should go agricultural 
schools in which modern methods of agriculture should be 
taught. The army might well be used as a sanitation corps so 
as to insure against the recurrence of those plagues which so 
affect trade relations with Mexico and the health of her people. 
Every one in Mexico is united upon the proposition that the 
present land system is based upon privilege and is unjust." 

Secretary Lane would be convinced that today Yucatan is 
making a practical effort to adjust the land problem, were 
he to visit that Mexican state and see Governor Alvarado at 
work. The Henry George theory is being applied with remark- 
able effect. "Tierras y libros" — land and books — is the cry 
that sounds far and wide through that eastern peninsula of the 
Mexican republic. 

The land problem and its solution are uppermost in the 
minds of all Mexicans with patriotic outlook regarding the future 
of the country. On this subject Mr. Cabrera said to the writer: 
"The 'porfirista' regime can be defined by saying that it con- 
sisted in putting the power in the hands of the large land- 
owners, thus creating a feudal system. The local governments 
of the different states in Mexico and nearly all the important 
public offices were in the hands of, or controlled by, wealthy 
families owning large tracts of land, which of course were in- 
clined to extend protection to all properties such as theirs. The 
political, social and economic influence exerted during General 
Diaz's administration was so advantageous to them that it 
hampered the development of the small agricultural property, 
which could otherwise have been formed from the division of 
ecclesiastical and communal lands." And Mr. Rolland drives 
home the complete truth of the situation when he says that "if 
small landed interest is not created, if the land is not given back 
to the people, if an equitable tax on the present landholders 
is not established, in order to make them relinquish their prey; 
if, in a word, the fortress of the Mexican family is not built by 
means of the communion of the peon with the land, it will be 
senseless to speak of 'government' in Mexico. But the present 
revolution, having been all this, appreciates its importance and 
is trying to help the people." 

Herein lies the hope of Mexico's future. The hour has struck 
for the return of the soil to its rightful owners. From Car- 
ranza down to the least of those identified with the Constitu- 
tionalist cause, the land problem is considered the most im- 
portant matter before the nation at this time. Aside from what 
is being done toward proper division of land among the peons 
in districts where complete order has already been restored, 
plans are under way to allot a certain number of acres of cultiv- 
able soil to returning Constitutionalist soldiers after the country 
is fully at peace. General Carranza and his advisers have not 

8 



adopted a cut and dried program regarding the division of land 
held wrongfully or belonging to the government, but as con- 
ditions arise the problem is to be solved for the very best ad- 
vantage of those whom it is meant to benefit primarily, the 
peons so recently released from what amounted to little less 
than slavery while attached to the great landed properties. 

It requires no genius to realize that many serious questions 
ask for their answer in the neighboring republic. Progress 
will of necessity be slow. No people can pass through the 
purifying fire of internal adjustment without serious obstacles 
standing in the way. The Mexican revolution sprang from a 
great need, the cry of the masses for land that might supply 
their necessities in order to make existence livable. Land and 
general education, in these is summed up the salvation of 
Mexico. 

MORE TEACHERS AND BETTER SCHOOLS 

The writer has knowledge of one striking fact that emphasizes 
with compelling force how much General Carranza has at heart 
proper school instruction. It was during the months immedi- 
ately following the Huerta military coup and Carranza's stern 
opposition to the usurper. Everything spoke of militarism, force 
to rebuke force. The First Chief had gathered around him men 
who felt as he did, namely that Madero's murder was not to be 
condoned through inactivity on the part of those loyal to their 
country. 

And in the midst of all this military activity, Carranza 
brought together two score or. more of men and women already 
in some measure identified with education in the republic. While 
money was not plenty in the Constitutionalist group, never- 
theless means were provided for sending these persons to the 
United States to study the public school systems. In Boston 
and other eastern centers these men and women at once be- 
gan their task, investigating and studying American popular 
teaching in all its branches. The earnestness with which they 
went to work, the disinterestedness displayed, the painstaking 
efforts to omit no single item that might find practical application 
in Mexico in due time, convinced the present writer that Car- 
ranza's genius for discounting the future embraced much more 
than mere military accomplishment. Today the work of these 
teachers in search of American ideas is bearing fruit in various 
ways. There is no better evidence that the Constitutionalist 
government means to foster friendly relations with the big 
brother this side the Rio Grande than making the American 
school system the model after which to pattern Mexican popu- 
lar education. In many private schools throughout the United 
States young Mexicans of both sexes are now being educated 
in a manner to make more permanent the relationship between 
the two nations. 

Luis Cabrera, who was a schoolmaster in Tlaxcala in 1895, 
in a speech delivered in the chamber of deputies in Mexico City, 



December 3, 1912, told how when he arrived at a certain 
"hacienda" he was instructed by the manager of the estate to 
teach only reading, writing and jthe Catholic catechism. He 
was absolutely forbidden to teatm "arithmetic, and that use- 
less thing called civics," as the manager expressed himself. And 
Robert Bruce Brinsmade, the well-known mining engineer who 
lived for many years in Mexico, has written in explanation of 
this incident in the career of Mr. Cabrera that "perhaps it 
was the fear lest some knowledge of the real principles of 
government might spread throughout the country which moved 
the future reactionary autocrat to exile in 1878, Gabino Barreda, 
Director of the National Preparatory School of Mexico City, 
and one of the most notable educators in the Republic. Free 
preaching and reading was forbidden completely ; all newspapers 
and books, even scientific works of foreign democratic reformers, 
including Henry George, could not be sold in Mexico. A 
complete Machiavellism was in existence and the Diaz system 
represented a modern edition of the criminal tyranny of Caesar 
Borgia." 

How completely the present military leaders in the Consti- 
tutionalist ranks are imbued with the civic-economic idea is 
shown in a typical manner by what Governor Alvarado is do- 
ing toward bringing into fruition his educational land plan 
campaign. It was at the closing session of the second pedagogic 
congress, held at Merida, Yucatan, that the governor made an 
address which established beyond contravention how much 
superior General Alvarado held the pen to be in comparison with 
the sword. The gathering was notable principally because it 
brought the question of co-education squarely before the nation 
as at no previous tirne in its history. Let us hear what Govern- 
or Alvarado has to say on this subject. 

"Allow me to say a few words," the Governor remarked, "with 
reference to the three themes discussed at the congress. The 
first one is co-education. . . Since this system was implanted 
last year, I have endeavored to make frequent visits to the 
schools, and I have asked the teachers the opinions they had 
formed in reference to the change. I asked, because I wanted 
to learn even the minutest details. I do not know whether 
directors and teachers, believing that I was a partisan to the 
system, wanted to deceive me by stating that all was well. But 
practically all of them told me that the system was working 
in perfect order. 'Instead of finding any danger in co-education 
we have found that it makes children more studious and respect- 
ful. We have observed nothing to justify the fears of the 
parents, who are attached to old prejudices and who say 'no' 
to any innovation. Therefore I can only state what has been 
told me. I cannot as yet express my own opinion." 

Regarding the frequently criticised attitude of the revolution- 
aries toward the clergy of the country, Governor Alvarado at 
the same pedagogic congress furnished an explanation in part 
as follows : "It is my duty to explain to you, who are the edu- 

10 



cators of the men of to-morrow, who will finish 'the task of 
reconstructing the nation which the Revolutionary Party has 
scarcely begun, it is my duty to convince you of the absolute 
justice and 1 necessity of attacking the clergy of our country. 
You may re-echo my words or not. That does not matter; it 
does not affect me. But what I want you to bear in mind is 
that you should judge, from what I am going to tell you, whether 
or not we have the right on our side to proceed in the manner 
we are proceeding, because acts which are supported by force 
only and not by justice and reason are not perdurable, and 
bring upon thei.. -elves curses of all; they last for a certain 
period, but in the end, protest raises itself and overthrows 
them." 

Governor Alvarado then went on to analyze the relationship 
of the church to the school, the home and the political elements 
of Mexico. He spoke of Hidalgo, the priest who led his 
patriotic countrymen. to victory against oppression; about More- 
los, another priest who forsook the cloth in order to become a 
militant in an hour of great need. A panorama was unrolled 
before that gathering of teachers of the young which painted 
in strong colors the vicissitudes of the republic during periods 
when educational progress was at a very low level. It was 
no pleasant aspect that Governor Alvarado presented before his 
listeners, but he was in deadly earnest, and stated his opinion 
without fear of what others might think on the subject. 

That the women of Mexico are capable of raising the standard 
of living and education to a plane as high as that obtaining in coun- 
tries less torn with internal strife thai has been the case in the 
neighboring republic, has been demonstrated on various oc- 
casions during the past few years. Mr. Rolland has stated the 
case succinctly as follows : "The response of the women to the 
new conditions has been a wonderful thing. Under the old 
regime, the woman was a serf or worse, if there is anything 
worse. Now she is an active, helpful member of the community, 
fully alive to the things that are essential to the future of her 
children. The women of Yucatan have had already their first 
feminist congress, with an attendance of 3,000 delegates, and the 
list of the things they considered reads very much like the 
program of any meeting of public-spirited level-headed women 
in the United States." 

Employment and rules for the proper safeguarding of workers 
are phases of everyday existence so closely connected with the 
home life of the individual and the family that it will aid in 
clarifying the still clouded Mexican horizon to examine what the 
progressive element in that country has been doing in the direc- 
tion of such welfare work. Briefly put, after the enactment of 
the land laws, labor legislation was framed on the best models 
obtainable in New Zealand and other pa. L_ of the world, and 
modified to fit the conditions of Yucatan where, naturally, 
economic experiments .could be made to the greater advantage. 

The new legislation has minimum wage provisions and an 

11 



eight-hour law, compensation for injuries of workmen and pro- 
visions for their old age. Children under thirteen years cannot 
be employed in factories or any othfer establishment. Boys under 
fifteen and girls under eighteen cannot work nights. All places 
of employment must be sanitary and protected against fire risks 
and all machinery must be protected. Compulsory arbitration 
of labor disputes is provided by law before workers can strike 
or employers lock them out. 

How many people in the United States are aware that there 
is in operation a pact, signed by Mexican and American labor 
representatives in Washington, not many months since, where- 
by the labor leaders of the two republics are kept in constant 
touch on matters vitally affecting labor interests throughout 
America? The Mexican appeal for such co-operation was issued 
from Merida, Yucatan, May 29, of this year, and met a quick re- 
sponse at the hands of the American Federation of Labor. Here is 
an extract from the Mexican appeal that carries conviction to the 
effect that the masses in that republic harbor no ill-will toward 
their fellow workers north of the Rio Grande. 

"We want to say very frankly to the American toilers" it 
reads, "that the Mexican people do not hate the real American 
people, the people who still bear in their hearts the principles 
of Washington and Franklin; we do not have any hostile senti- 
ment of any kind against you, American laborers. In the United 
States we hate only the monopolists, the great oil and railroad 
kings, all those who have utilized the riches of our land for 
their personal benefit; impudently stealing from us the fruits 
of our labor; the same as they do with you in your country; 
those very same compatriots of yours, whose only interests are 
their bank accounts, and who have no love of country, honor 
or high ideals of life. 

"Be on your guard, workers of the United States. The Colum- 
bus raid, all the anti-Mexican agitation, all the meetings, lectures 
and publications of our foes in the great American cities, are 
only for the purpose of drowning in blood the desires of a 
brother people who have had the courage and the strength to 
rebel against their oppressors, of giving the workers of the 
world an example of the only Social Revolution that honestly 
deserves such a name." 

On the part of the American Federation of Labor there has 
come through President Samuel Gompers the most gracious 
acknowledgment that nothing would suit the American workers 
better than a most complete understanding relative to both 
political and industrial issues alike important to both peoples. 
The following clause contained in the pact speaks for itself: 
"We appeal to the workers and all of the people of the United 
States and Mexico to do everything within their power to pro- 
mote correct understanding of purposes and actions, to prevent 
friction, to encourage good will, and to promote an intelligent 
national opinion that ultimately shall direct relations between 

12 



our countries and shall e a potent humanitarian force in pro- 
moting world progress." \ \ 

The American-Mexican commission, which subsequently met 
on the border, was a direct odtcome of the pact between labor 
organizations in the two countries. There are on record numer- 
ous instances to prove that the cordial relations that exist gen- 
erally between the troops of either country patroling the border 
along New Mexico and Arizona have been fostered through the 
participation of the labor bodies in the movement for a bet'ter 
understanding between the governments. 

Perhaps General Carranza was not far from speaking a great 
truth when he said in a speech at San Luis Potosi : "Up to this 
date, strife has succeeded strife throughout the world, without 
anyone being able to comprehend why nations should tear each 
other to pieces upon any pretext ; it is the big material interests 
which push nations into war, and so long as those interests are 
in existence, wars will continue to be a" menace to humanity. 
For this reason I affirm that laws should be universal and that 
what we establish here by conquest, as a truth, should betoken 
welfare through the law of all mankind, be it m Mexico or in 
Africa The eternal struggle of mankind has been for the im- 
provement, for the welfare, for the developments of peoples, 
and those gigantic upheavals have had no other object than the 
welfare of separate units; humankind has m^gled itself for 
these principles and in order that war may cease, it is imperative 
that the reign of justice extend over all the earth." 

FOR UNITED STATES-MEXICO CO-OPERATION 

The re-election of President Wilson affirms the desires of the 
American people to remain at peace with all the world. Unques- 
tionably, during the next four years Mexican-American rela- 
tions will be afforded an opportunity to become strengthened 
through a better understanding of the intrinsic merits of the 
nations concerned. But in order to make firm whatever founda- 
tion has been laid more recently it becomes essential to con- 
stantly reaffirm the principles without which no solid ground- 
work can be expected. 

Toward this end a number of agencies have been at work 
disseminating such information as will tend to correct wrong 
impressions, however obtained, assist in furnishing knowledge 
regarding the economic and political evolution in Mexico, and 
to remove whatever apprehension may exist touching the ability 
of Mexicans to govern themselves in the newfound conditions 
ushered in with the revolution. _ 

No less a person than President Wilson has set an auspicious 
example in guaging Mexico at its true estimate. Whatever 
critics may adduce to the contrary, the policy of the administra- 
tion throws into strong relief that new Mexico when the edu- 
cation of the masses will make up for many mistakes made 
when lack of full enlightenment was the responsible factor for 
such mistakes. Secretary of the Interior Franklin K. Lane is 

13 



authority for the statement that President Wilson has clearly 
seen the end to be desired from the first and that "he has worked 
toward it against an opposition that was cunning and intensive, 
persistent and powerful. If he succeeds in giving a new birth 
of freedom to Mexico, he most surely will receive the verdict 
of mankind." 

The sea of internationalism is seldom entirely calm, and the 
ships of state require helmsmen with an eye single to the call 
of public opinion. It is fortunate, indeed, for the future rela- 
tionship of the United States and Mexico that the occupant of the 
White House during the next few years has a vision so clear 
that it will enable him to carry to a successful issue whatever 
plans he may have conceived so far toward the ultimate solu- 
tion of the Mexican problem from the American point of view. 
That it is President Wilson's desire to see Mexico work out 
her own salvation along lines best suited to her present and 
future need, there has been ample evidence. This does not mean, 
however, that the Chief Executive will not primarily conserve 
the honor and prestige of the United States. 

A vindication of President Wilson's Mexican policies includes 
the admission that the educational institutions of this country 
very generally favor a pacific attitude in so far as it will comport 
with the honor of the nation. The presence in many of these 
institutions of young men from the Latin American republics 
has done much toward inculcating in the administrative circles 
of colleges and universities a spirit of compassion for the sister 
nations to the south. Mexico has been- foremost in sending 
her young people to the United States for purposes of educa- 
tion. In fact, if it had not been for what many of the revolu- 
tionary chiefs had learned about freedom in thought and action 
here, very likely the liberating efforts would have been con- 
siderably retarded. 

It is because some of the leading educators of this country 
have joined with the Mexican-American League, founded dur- 
ing the past summer, that the success of this additional force 
for co-operative work may be considered assured in advance of 
what the organization hopes to see accomplished. Taking a sane 
and sensible view of the Mexican problems without bias for 
preconceived notions one way or another, the committee has 
set to work with a will. Already there has come a most ready 
response from many sections of the United States from those 
anxious to join this movement which holds out such promise. 
With headquarters at 70 Fifth Avenue, New York City, the 
Mexican-American League is evidently destined to play a con- 
spicious role in the work of upbuilding the relations between 
the two nations. 

When the National Educational Association met in New York 
during July of the present year, Dr. David Starr Jordan, Chan- 
cellor of Leland Stanford University, and a member of the Mexi- 
can-American League committee, delivered a notable address 
on the Mexican situation in wtiich he touched on the effect of 



^classes. This is a subject that 
;e»retation. Dr. Jordan, however, 
b»ishment of many of these peo- 
jrtjrs denounce it as unjust that a 
idjand wealthy people should be 
.is of ignorant peasants. The plea 
Men of culture cannot rule as a 
>t get down and help lift up the 
never done their part toward the 
s become a terrible menace. Caste 
. menace to human welfare and the 
ation is bound up with democracy." 
.1 organization as the Mexican-Ameri- 
.sed by virtue of the fact that many 
i Mexico are carrying on a reactionary 
try. That such is the case has been 
venture. Arraying themselves in false 
gard their love of country these Mexi- 
can reactionaries • been a danger point with which the 
constructive forces had to reckon. So long as this nefarious 
element is permit concoct its scheme for the restoration 
ler of things, so long there will be handi- 
^aining that stage of adjustment where 
irevail in the southern republic. Fortun- 
i administration for some time has been 
this state of affairs, and there is a pos- 
> will be adopted to stop the reactionary 
Duntry. The work of the exile group has 
withholding of credit on any extensive scale 
sxico. Representing the moneyed interests 
Diaz administration, such Mexicans as are 
iet the Carranza government and defeat its 
st naturally cannot expect too charitable a 
aids of the Constitutionalists, 
oney. There is no doubt of this. And if 
otained, where else may a government look 
ited States? In this connection it may be 
well to add that next to the land question, the question of 
proper financing has long occupied those who understood the 
real needs of Mexico. On this point, no one is better able to 
throw light on the subject than Luis Cabrera, the minister of 
finance in the Carranza government. Mr. Cabrera has care- 
fully avoided negotiating financial transactions that would place 
still heavier burdens on the country. His policy is in marked 
contrast to that which obtained during the Diaz regime when 
loans were placed which imposed serious strains on the national 
treasury. 

There has been a disposition in certain financial quarters to 
discourage loans to Mexico on terms that would be reasonable 
to both parties concerned. The result of the election has some- 
what changed this. With the administration favorable to a 



the revolution on the \ 
has found much wrong 
explains the reason foi 
pie as follows : "Their 
million intelligent, cu : 
dominated by fifteen 
is old in human hist 
separate caste. The} 
mass. Because they n 
training of the peon 
divisions are themse! 
ultimate future of e^ 
The existence of s 
can League has bef 
of the wealthy exile 
propoganda in this 
established beyond 
robes of patriotisrr 



in Mexico of the c 
caps in the way 
permanent peace 
ately, the Wash 
taking cognizan 
sibility that me . 
propaganda in ' 
been a factor in .' 
tpwching loans 
that surrounde 
now working 
economic plar 
treatment at 
Mexico ne 
money is to 
except to tl 



15 




i 



/ 



y 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




009 841 805 2 # 

ican issues the chances 
the financial negotia- 
dace a nation tried as 
:>asis, but there is no 
ures bound up in the 
,r. will be found. 

gain alone are over. 
mate enterprise will 
the government will 
. from one source or 
land and the mines 
will justify all the 
in has passed since 
against monopoly 
:o Madero proved 
dio knew how to 
most vulnerable. 
\ Madero. It was 
to a similar trap 
hief of the Con- 
ness. Carranza,' 
,iut who, placed 
at the next day 



peaceful adjustment of the MexVan-. 
have improved considerably yfativ> 
tions under way. It is no ea^ task 
Mexico has been on a sound rponct 
reason to doubt that with the untold 
natural resources of the republic a soli 
The days of exploiting Mexico for s 
With this national menace removed, 
be allowed to assert itself. As a re; 
receive what is its proper due. Reve-< 
another will increase proportionately a; 
will be worked. This is the new era 
suffering and strife through which the 
Madero first raised the banner of pto 
and autocracy. But the idealism of hr . 
but a weak foil against cunning schem 
attack the successor to Diaz where he 
Misplaced sympathy proved the undoing 
because Venustiano Carranza refused to i 
to that which caught Madero that the bu 
stitutionlists had to meet craftiness with 
perhaps, now and then makes his mistal 
like he has been, could always have guesse 
might bring forth? 

With the cleansing of the old slate Mexi 

new chapter in its eventful history. Amer; 

the republic well as it enters the family 

and strengthened. Let be that Mexico reb 

term requiring much solicitude and watchii 

cation can be fully justified to the nation acros 

But the United States, unquestionably, will not omit to extena 

that hand of co-operation that is sure to be grasped cordially by 

Sfxico herself. P The manifest destiny of the country of Juarez 

is written in bold letters across the sky of America, ine : in 

erSs of the twenty-one republics of the western hemisphere 

Ire closelv knit in a fabric whose strands are as variegated in 

e r ^r e S an y d clr as the characterise of the co^^ 

rl„ P to racial idiosyncrac es and customs. But m the main, me 

spiri of AmerkT y is singularly a matter of common property 

£e^^a£:d«^a^t =Z 

for the good of America as a whole. 



' now writing a 
ought to wish 
ations purified 
p but as yet a. 
[fore its appli- 
he Rio Grande. 



16 



